The following are briefs from the District of Sechelt regular council meeting on Oct. 18.
The proposed reservoir
District of Sechelt will provide a letter of support for the shíshálh Nation’s application to the Disaster Risk Reduction Climate Adaptation Funding Stream of the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for funding for its proposed water reservoir.
Coun. Alton Toth, who sits on the Sunshine Coast Regional District Board (SCRD) as a Sechelt area director, made the motion. “It is going to be disruptive if we’re successful, but we know that not having water is disruptive now,” Toth said.
Mayor Henderson abstained from the vote, citing community concerns over location and risk of water contamination as well as the size of the proposed reservoir. He included that the District of Sechelt has “asked for more data than they have received.”
“I don't oppose conveying signalling that we are supportive of solutions. I'm just not sure if this is a solution that is going to work,” Henderson said.
Toth said, “The directors did recognize they've got a lot of questions that are still unanswered.” He added that he hoped answers were to come at the October water summit.
Toth added that applying for a second grant stream could leave the SCRD and shíshálh Nation in “a precarious situation” if they’re approved for one application, start work, and then are not approved for the federal funding that was applied for initially.
“I'm just gonna say that I'm supportive of any and all additional water sources, especially when funding comes externally,” said Coun. Darren Inkster.
Sechelt security
As the community watch private security pilot program begins, Henderson said that the security team is a non-intervention group, and is not to be approached by the public. He said that their role is to collect data from the community, “And with that, we'll be able to really inform our first responders and others about what we do to make our community safer.”
Henderson also reported that he spoke to a security representative from a national retail group about the current state of crime in Sechelt, and learned some long term solutions in terms of fencing and washroom design.
Connecting the Coast
Transportation Choices Sunshine Coast presented to council for its Connect the Coast project, requesting support in their initiative to build “all ages and abilities” active transportation infrastructure along the Sunshine Coast Highway from the Langdale ferry terminal to West Sechelt. “We have 55,000 residents 400,000 annual visitors and well designed infrastructure will keep our pedestrian cyclist and vehicle traffic safer,” said Alun Woolliams, director of Connect the Coast, who presented to council. “Safe paths create fair and inclusive transportation systems for all our residents, and using more active transportation reduces our demand on the already busy highway.” Woolliams asked for support on two key areas: North Fletcher to Highland/Lower Road in Gibsons, and Highway 101 from Bay Road in Davis Bay to Wharf Avenue in Sechelt. Toth moved that the District of Sechelt provide a letter of support to TRAC for its application to Green Municipal Fund. Council unanimously voted in favour.
Notice on title on Benner road
A notice of bylaw contravention has been placed on the property at 5366 Benner Road as the owners failed to renew its building permit. Building permit 6239 was issued on June 12, 2017, for an addition to the single-family dwelling. The permit expired in 2019, and was renewed twice more with the last renewal expiring on Jan. 19, 2023. The owner has not complied since then, and was informed by staff of the date of the meeting where the request for Notice on Title was made, according to a staff report. James Nyhus, Chief building official for the district of Sechelt told council that he has communicated with the property owner, but has not received an updated timeline. Without any debate, council unanimously voted to move the recommendation to file notice in the Land Title Office.
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
